Guido understands that the PM is to come under renewed pressure from the SNP to debate Alex Salmond ahead of the referendum on Scottish Freedom next year. That first debate of 2010 is still a sore spot for the Cameroons and the nationalists are preparing to exploit that ruthlessly. While the next round of debates between the party leaders will likely be a watered down version of 2010 and months out of polling day, what leg does Dave really have to stand on over Scotland? He is the Prime Minister who has given the nod to a referendum that could see the end of the union he leads. He should lay out exactly why he thinks sticking together is a good idea, and allow himself to be scrutinised by those that disagree. Expect to hear cries of ‘frit, frit, frit’ at PMQs before long..

UPDATE: A Caledonian co-conspirator reminds us that Dave has said he wants to debate with Salmond. Here is what he told parliament last year

“Frankly, I look forward to having the debate, because I think that too many in the Scottish National party have been happy to talk about the process but, do not want to talk about the substance. I sometimes feel when I listen to them that it is not a referendum they want, but a “neverendum”. Let us have thedebate, and let us keep our country together.”